Page:Gaston Leroux--The bride of the sun.djvu/112



, women and children began to press toward the group of riders. Dick, first to realize the change in the humor of the mob, spurred alongside Maria-Teresa.

"We must get out of this! Steady, and forward all!"

The Marquis, superbly cool, followed as if reluctant to show his back to any horde of Indians. The menace in the voices grew clearer. He looked round him, and drove his spurs home, till his mount reared and plunged into the crowd, clearing a space around it.

The mob was howling now, and knives were being drawn on all sides, when a giant Indian pushed his way toward the Spaniards. Maria-Teresa, Don Christobal and Diçk recognized Huascar, before whom his countrymen made way with evident respect and dread.

"Back!" he shouted, taking the young girl's mule by the bridle. "Who touches the Virgin of the Sun is a dead man!"

At these words, the crowd parted. Silence succeeded the tumult of a moment before. 98